1. Intertribal Agriculture Council 30th Anniversary
Annual Membership Meeting
R. Renee Picanso
Associate Administrator
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service
December 6, 2016

2. Fond Congratulations on IAC’s 30th Anniversary
of service to producers in Indian Country,
from all of us at the
National Agricultural Statistics Service
The Intertribal Agriculture Council was founded in 1987 to pursue and promote the conservation, development and use of our agricultural resources for the betterment of our people.
Land-based agricultural resources are vital to the economic and social welfare of many Native American and Alaskan Tribes. The harmonies of man, soil, water, air, vegetation and wildlife that collectively make-up the American Indian agriculture community, influence our emotional and spiritual well being. Prior to 1987, American Indian agriculture was basically unheard of outside reservation boundaries.
Since that time, IAC has grown to prominence in Indian Country and among the federal government agencies and the agricultural field with which it works on behalf of individual Indian producers and Tribal enterprises. The IAC has over the last decade become recognized as the most respected voice within the Indian community and government circles on agricultural policies and programs in Indian country.

3. “Where Do We Go From Here?”
Intertribal Agriculture Council Mission: To provide a unified effort to promote change in Indian Agriculture for the benefit of Indian People.
NASS Mission: To provide timely, accurate, and useful statistics in service to U.S. agriculture.
Conference theme: “Where Do We Go From Here?” In preparing to pen remarks for the presentation and after reviewing IAC history, noticed how interconnected our missions actually are. We would like to think that with the improvements in the collection of ag production on the Census of Ag, that we have helped provide the metrics to help IAC leverage their efforts to promote change in Indian Country. It was with the guidance from IAC that we have changed the way we collect data on American Indian and Alaska Native operations.
Two missions are interconnected in their service to agriculture. IAC has been leading the way for change by guiding and advising NASS how best to change outdated 1997 data collection processes and now we can better count American Indian and Alaska Native porducers. These production and farm numbers give leadership like IAC the data that tells the story of the impact American Indian produers have on the U.S. farm picture.

5. Number of PRODUCERS. Note – principal operators is rising though up to 3 operators fell from The order of races was changed in 2012 and it was feared that had a negative impact on those identifying as American Indian or Alaska Native.

6. The Ag Census - Your Voice
By participating in the Census of Agriculture, you help show the nation the value and importance that American Indian and Alaska Native ag retains in the total U.S. agriculture picture.
This is your opportunity to tell how American agriculture provides food, fuel, and fiber from your local community to the world.
By responding to the Census, you have the power to perhaps influence decisions that will shape American agriculture for years to come, including:
farm services, programs and policies
transportation and marketing locations
production practices and new technologies
set aside funding levels for farm programs and grants for Indian Country producers .
SO, HOW DO WE HELP INDIAN COUNTRY ANSWER THE QUESTION, “WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?”
The census informs congress about the state of the US agricultural production system down to the county level
Provides datasets to the public for use in other products (extension, universities, private projects, city development estimates, provide real examples of people using our data)
Data is available to individuals and can be used directly in business planning, writing grants, comparing your farm to others, etc.

7. The Ag Census - Your Future
By responding to the Census, you have a positive impact on the future of your operation and your community.
The Census provides valuable information that is often used to plan the future, including:
community planning
farm succession planning
store/company locations
availability of operational loans and other funding
federal budget support for agriculture.

8. The Ag Census - Your Opportunity
Your response to the Census DOES make a difference!
To ensure that the best tools and reports are available, we need accurate information from ALL farmers and ranchers no matter how large or small.
Respond early by mail or online.
What would the census numbers look like if there was not representation from small farms?
Pose a question, how would the answer hypothetically change (insert data here – talk about areas where small farms are different other than sales)
For example, small farms make most of the sales direct-to-consumers

9. What can you do to help produce the best results for the 2017 Census of Agriculture?
Help us make sure ALL of our Nation’s farm and ranch operators are counted
Encourage people who receive a Census of Agriculture form to return it in the mail or complete the survey online
Talk to people about the importance of the Census of Agriculture data
Use the Census of Agriculture data

10. Make Sure Your Farm or Ranch Counts!
Whether small or large, your agricultural operation is important to gain a complete measure of U.S. agriculture.
Be part of the answer to the question,
“Where Do We Go From Here?”

11.
This is the page on the NASS to make it easy for producers to add their contact information and get on the Census Mailing List. The form asks for your name and address as well as race, ethnicity (Hispanic or non-Hispanic), and gender We ask this race, ethnicity, and gender information so the Agency can check how we are doing on our list building efforts to increase the number of minority operators.
I know the page is small here but we will be happy to show it to you at our booth in the Exhibit Hall next door.

12. https://www.nass.usda.gov https://www.agcensus.usda.gov/
There is s tool on the NASS Website where you can help us make sure your agricultural production is reported in the Census of Agriculture, You can find this “2017 Census of Ag - Make Sure You Are Counted” tab that can be found on either of these websites on the screen. Once you click on this tab, the following page will open (next slide).

13. We also have these postcards at the booth - you can add your name and address and mail it directly to us on this self-addressed stamped envelope.

14. Thank You for Your Time This Morning!
NASS Website
NASS Toll-Free Customer Service Line
NASS General Inquiry Address
In the interest of time, I am happy to take questions at the NASS exhibit booth at breaks or I will be available during the conference and look forward to talking to you then. I appreciate this opportunity to talk with you and be part of IAC’s 30tth Anniversary.